Interpreting Scripture With JesusExemplo

In Matthew 21, Jesus is at it again. This time He is healing people in the temple. Can you imagine the scene? Crowds coming to Him in the temple and being released from years of bondage to illness. Formerly blind and lame people, seeing and walking jubilantly everywhere. Caught up in the Jubilee and too innocent to understand the years of tradition and religious conditioning that their words would challenge, the children shout, "Praise God for the Son of David!"

The leaders are indignant. “Do you hear what these children are saying?” they ask Jesus. He has a reply ready, paraphrased from Psalms, but first the provocative question, "Haven’t you ever read the Scriptures?" I imagine Jesus chuckling to Himself as He asks his famous rhetorical question with a twinkle in His eye. I'm chuckling myself reading it now. He continues, "For they say, 'You have taught children and infants to give you praise.'"

Who knew that scripture applied then and there. I doubt the psalmist knew. I know the Pharisees didn't know! But Jesus knew.

Often we are in the midst of everyday life with its ups and downs and unsure where God is in all of it and then a scripture comes to mind. Completely out of the original context. Nothing to do with your situation today. Except you know that God is speaking to you. You feel the peace and clarity of Christ settle your soul. Receive it. It is the word of God.

Jesus, You are the Word. Speak to me. Speak to my soul today. Open my ears to hear Your voice through the scriptures as I read and hearken to Your Spirit.